Today I'm taking some time to rest a bit. I'm still recoverig from a long travel journey with no sleep and of course, the nine hour time difference. The long plane ride wasn't kind to my back. And yesterday, after an extended walk for miles (much of it uphill), I wrote my day 2 blog, showered and was then taken out for my birthday. We started out at Le Tartarughe in the Jewish ghetto by a fountain known as 'three turtles'. I had a glass of Prosecco to celebrate my birthday with a toast. I was so hungry, that I ordered eggplant parmesan and caprese salad with mixed lettuce. The choice spot was mostly locals, which is always nice.
We then walked to a rooftop bar called Otivm. (photo above), which possessed a stunning view and a pleasant breeze. The conversation revolved around quite a bit of history surrounding Roma. There is endlessly interesting history in Roma. Afterward, I realized that I hadn't yet had a gelato. Heavens, one must indulge in gelato, especially on your birthday. I was told by my birthday host, that the best gelato places in Roma add a topping of fresh crema. I did a combo of hazlenut, chocolate, and pistachio. Yum! I'm not much of a sugar eater but gelato is an exception.
So, today I'm rather fatigued but that hasn't stopped lively chatting with Tomasso and Rosanna. I didn't sleep well (probably my birthday indulgence) but woke up at 8:30 and a call came to the room close to 9:00 from Tomasso to see if I was coming soon to breakfast. The warmth and friendliness is so special here at Casa Tu Vaticana. Tomasso and his partner, Massimo have been so supportive to sendmeonvacation.org We have laughed a lot and Tomasso loves to tease me. It's been a fun day. I have also enjoyed getting to know Rosanna who is a doll, not to mention helpful at organizing adventures. Rosanna made me my hot turkey cheese sandwich this morning and two machiattos. They already feel like family!
The extraordinary Rosanna at Casa Tu Vaticana
Soon, I will go to the neighborhood ristorante for a late lunch - my main meal of the day. Being a freestyle participant with SMOV allows me to be at my own pace whether leisure or very active. Speaking of active, my friend Millie (Milena) frm Santa Barbara and a friend I met in Italian class at SBCC, has rented a place in Rome for six months. She and her husband wll be retiring in Italy. We are going on the famous 3-hour private golf cart tour tomorrow that the director and founder of SMOV and many of the women survivors have enjoyed in Roma. They take you to the historical and famous places and viewing/stopping via golf cart will provide us a good lay-of-the-land, which is crucial for me since I have a hopeless sense of direction! Tomasso and Rosanna arranged it for us and I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm off to make myself presentable for lunch. More tomorrow with Day 4. Thank you for reading.
Ciao, ciao.
Keep on swimming through life,
Valerie Anne
Sounds like you had an awesome birthday and have already made some new friends in Rome 👍